Learning how to design and develop Joomla websites with the Joomla software can be simple and fast, if only you know how. To help you out with so-called "steep learning curve", here are a few tips that may help.

1. The Joomla Learning System: This is how you approach learning to use the Joomla software to design websites. There are a few approaches to doing this (each one with its own merits and demerits, relatively speaking). You can either get yourself a manual, Joomla training classes, attend conferences or workshops to learn Joomla, or simply get a package of great that you can use and learn from. Either way, make sure that you are comfortable with the quality of Joomla training you choose and sure of the how well you be able to design Joomla websites at the end of the day. 2. Apply What You Learn: To learn Joomla quickly and master it easily would require that you practice what you learn. The easiest way to do this is to create a website along the way as you start and continue learning Joomla. This should be your test site. If, on the other hand, you decide to wait and procrastinate until you have "a good grasp" of it, you probably will never learn how to design Joomla websites. This is because, mastering it is akin to practicing it. So, create a test site or use a sub-directory of one of your existing sites to install Joomla on and practice how to create Joomla websites.

3. Joomla Resource Websites: Another very effective way of earning Joomla web design and development is to frequent websites,discussion forums and portals that have a lot of useful information on how to create and manage Joomla websites. These resource websites typically have a collection of articles and Joomla videos to help you speed up your process of learning the Joomla CMS. Some also contain FAQs (frequently asked questions) that may be very useful to you both as a beginner and as an intermediate Joomla web designer. You are also constantly updated on the progress of the Joomla project as you are also in the information loop that exists within this website design community.

4. Joomla User Groups: Almost every big city or metropolitan area around the world would have a local JUG (Joomla User Group) that comprises the technically-knowledgeable, enthusiastic as well as beginning and intermediate Joomla webmasters. A JUG typically meets monthly, but this may vary according to the needs and time availability of the membership of the Joomla group. At these meetings, in addition to meeting fellow Joomla webmasters, you can also get the latest information on what's going on in the Joomlasphere (world of Joomla), new useful tools and extensions, local or nearby "Joomla Day" programs (where you can both learn and buy Joomla items, like tutorials and templates), and receive a lot of support among your network of new found friends and fellow Joomla learners and webmasters.

5. Continued Practice: I mentioned earlier that to learn Joomla quickly and easily, you have to have hands-on practice during the early stages. However, the Joomla CMS is so dynamic that if you don't constantly practice and explore it, you may either lose track of where it is going or even forget some of the skills. However, if you are regularly engaged in tweaking your Joomla website and keeping up to date with what's going on, you will find out that learning how to design Joomla websites becomes much more easier and creative for you as you discover new tools, tricks and creative ways to make it do your will and design virtually any type of website using Joomla.